Whilst i'm not looking for nor qualified for a similar position, it has always stuck me as extremely shortsighted at our lack of a fully functional Air Force Reserve capability.
At knock off time on Friday arvo (normally an EKO) we used to say if any country wanted to cause mischief then Saturday was the day to do it.
As for the argument about training standards and pilot ability, well thats an old chestnut thats been done to death, an old RAAF QFI has told me a few times that pilots are pilots and if you make the grade for an Aussie major then your just as likely to be as good as our Mil cousins, its just how much BS you believe about you and your enviroment.
If the Yanks (and others) can do this successfully for years why cant we?
Some of the previous answer suggest why.
Cultural and Organisational Mindset.